Are you thinking about visiting York, UK? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is York worth visiting?
This city is a good place to visit for two to four days. York is an entertaining city that makes light of its medieval history and whimsical personality. The influences of Harry Potter are far reaching, with shops and references to the story throughout the old town. There are world class museums, a diverse culinary scene, and plenty of activities that will fill your days. We first visited in the spring of 2023 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with its winding streets, interactive museums, and spooky dungeons.
York Castle Walls, England
Reasons to Visit York
Food
Meat pies, fudge, and fish and chips are just some of the culinary experiences you'll find here. The Shambles Market has vendors that sell a wide variety of cuisines. There are also food trucks throughout town that offer affordable and delicious meal options.
Historical Sights
The charming old town is filled with shops and restaurants. There are street performers, fudge shops, and all of the Harry Potter merchandise that a person could need.
Museums
Popular museums include the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, Castle Howard, and JORVIK Viking Centre.
Nightlife
The young population and thriving tourist scene means there's no shortage of nightlife around town. Check out a pub or music venue to experience everything that city has to offer.
Shopping
The old town has many great candy stores that sell fudge and other local specialties. There are also Harry Potter stores that sell potions, t-shirts, games, and more.
Is York worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in York is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 16°C (62°F).
During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the nightlife scene.
Summer Weather in York
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 16°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| August | 16°C (61°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| September | 14°C (57°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Is York worth visiting in the Autumn?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 11°C (52°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in York, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to admire the historic sights and browse the museums.
Autumn Weather in York
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 11°C (52°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| November | 7°C (44°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| December | 5°C (40°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Is York worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the low season for travel in York. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
The weather in York can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 4°C (39°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, and browse around the old town. Also, you'll be able to dance the night away.
Winter Weather in York
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 4°C (39°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| February | 4°C (39°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| March | 6°C (43°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Is York worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in York. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
The weather in York can be quite cold during spring, and averages around 8°C (46°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience shopping, the museums and landmarks, and the historic old town. Also, you can experience the nightlife.
Spring Weather in York
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 8°C (46°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 11°C (53°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| June | 15°C (58°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting York
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, York might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for York here or see if York is expensive here.
Related
What is York most famous for?
York is most famous for its markets, old town, and its many ghost tours. The city is very popular for its food and historical sights. It is also known for its great museums and nightlife. And many visitors also come to this city for its shopping. It is often described as historic, medieval, and fanciful.
What is the most famous sight in York?
The most popular sight in York is The Shambles. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in York on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Shambles and other attractions here.
How touristy is York? Is it a popular city to visit?
York is a popular city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Instagrammable York History Experience: $19
- Time Traveler's Private Tour of York - Small groups: $153
- Hello York! Private Walking Tour: $273
- Private Walking Tour: York City Highlights and York Minster: $283
- Full-Day Discovering All Creatures Great and Small Tour of Yorkshire: $102
- Private York History Walking Tour: $127
- Guided Bike Tour in York: $33
- Shared Walking Tour in York: $19
How long should I spend in York?
The ideal length of time for a trip to York is two to four days. Since York has a variety of activities such as dining and historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in York? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in York?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.